In aromatherapy, some oils stand out from the others due to their powerful healing properties. If you’re new to aromatherapy or putting together your essential oil starter kit, this is one that you’ll want to include in your inventory. You’ll be surprised at the many Rosemary essential oil uses and benefits.
Rosemary is an evergreen shrub with small but thick needle-like leaves and light blue flowers that bloom in the early spring. Its part of the mint family, Lamiaceae and the botanical name for rosemary is rosmarinus officinalis. For thousands of years people have used it for its healing powers and it’s still one of the major healing and purification herbs used today.
Rosemary oil is steam distilled from the plant’s flowing tips and it has a yellowish tint. The oil’s woodsy fragrance is invigorating and uplifting but that’s just one of its many benefits. Rosemary oil is known for its ability to help improve both the mental and physical health.
The main therapeutic properties found in rosemary oil include the following:
- Antibacterial
- Anti-infection
- Analgesic
- Anticatarrhal
- Antioxidant
- Antifungal
- Anti-inflammatory
- Expectorant
Here you’ll learn about some the many uses and benefits of rosemary that make it one of the most popular oils used today.
1. Rosemary Oil Helps Stimulate Hair Growth
One of the main benefits of rosemary essential oil is its amazing ability to stimulate hair growth. Millions of men and women all over the world suffer from alopecia, which is the term used for hair loss or progressively thinning hair. Many factors contribute to this condition that range from genetics to the person’s lifestyle. Unfortunately, there aren’t many treatments available to help.
However, according to Healthy and Natural World, research shows that many alopecia patients can safely improve this condition by using rosemary oil daily. In fact, many users insist that it has been very effective in helping them grow thick, healthy hair. Just mix with carrier oil and massage it into your scalp to stimulate hair follicles and encourage new growth. It really is that easy!
Instead of massaging the oil into your scalp, you also have the option of making your own shampoo and conditioner using rosemary oil. Washing your hair daily with your homemade shampoo could help make your hair look and feel thicker and healthier than ever. Both of these methods may also help eliminate dandruff due to the anti-fungal properties found in this oil.
Rosemary Hair Growth Recipe:
- Combine 5 ml of jojoba oil and 8 drops of rosemary essential oils together and then massage the lotion into your scalp. Better still – do it with a friend!
2. Rosemary Oil For Skin Care
As you age, environmental factors such as the weather and even the lifestyle you choose will take its toll on your skin. It can become rough and dry. Try using skin care products made with essential oils to help you maintain your youthful appearance. Many believe that rosemary essential oil can help improve your complexion and help you achieve healthy looking skin.
Lots of homemade lotions, creams, facial cleansers and soaps use rosemary as part of the ingredients because of its anti-bacterial and cell regenerative properties. It contains vitamins and nutrients such as iron and calcium along with antioxidants that might help prevent premature aging.
It helps to tighten the skin and reduce the appearance of those fine lines and wrinkles that go along with aging. It could also help to minimize scars and age spots that make you look older. Some people use this essential oil to help get rid of bags and dark circles under the eyes.
Rosemary oil has antibacterial properties that make it a great oil for treating acne. It’s gentle but effective and it leaves the skin soft and healthy looking. Some users claim that rosemary has helped them to eliminate cellulite and fade stretch marks due to its ability to improve circulation. Simply massage the oil over the affected areas daily and you should begin to see results soon.
3. Rosemary Oil For Oral Hygiene
Taking care of your teeth is an important part of your personal hygiene routine and rosemary oil may help. Use it to eliminate bacteria and prevent the buildup of plaque, which eventually leads to tooth decay, cavities and gum disease.
Since rosemary oil has disinfectant properties, it makes a great mouthwash that will clean and eliminate bad breath without removing the good bacteria that your body needs. Most mouthwashes have a medicine taste and some can sting and burn when you use them. However, a mouthwash made with rosemary has a good taste and it will leave your mouth feeling clean and fresh. It’s a natural way to fight tooth decay, bad breath and gum disease.
4. Rosemary Oil For Mental and Emotional Health
Everyone has those days when your brain feels like it’s in a fog or circumstances may have you feeling a little depressed. Having these feelings occasionally is normal but they can make it difficult to get through your daily activities. Using rosemary oil is one way to help relieve stress, tension and anxiety naturally that often leads to depression and loss of concentration.
Cineole is an active compound found in rosemary that’s known for increasing the neurotransmitters in the brain that enhance learning and memory. Therefore, if you’re having a hard time staying focused, using rosemary may help. It’s even being used to treat dementia and similar cognitive disorders in some patients. The easiest way to use rosemary oil to help improve your mental and emotional health is to simply add a few drops of the oil to your diffuser and relax.
5. Rosemary Oil Helps Treat Various Types of Infections
Many people use rosemary oil to help treat all types of infections. For example, its antifungal and antibacterial properties are great for treating fungal infections such as ringworm and athlete’s foot. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that might help heal eczema, psoriasis and similar skin conditions. Some people have also had excellent results when using rosemary to treat bacterial infections and stomach ulcers.
6. Rosemary Oil For The Digestive System
Rosemary essential oil supports a healthy digestive system. Some users claim it helps to ease upset stomachs, constipation, diarrhea and bloating. It may also help relieve indigestion and detoxify the liver. It’s believed that rosemary oil also supports your digestive system by helping your body absorb the vitamins and nutrients in the foods you eat. It does this by stimulating blood flow and increasing circulation.
7. Rosemary Oil Relieves Pain and Inflammation
Since rosemary essential oil improves circulation and has anti-inflammatory properties, it’s often used to help relieve common ailments such as headaches, sore muscles, sprains and achy joints. It has helped ease the pain of menstrual cramps for many women and it may even help ease the pain associated with arthritis and rheumatism. Rosemary is also used to enhance the taste and smell of food, stimulating the appetite of people with eating disorders.
8. Rosemary Oil For Respiratory Problems
Rosemary oil may help to boost your immune system so your body can naturally fight off viruses and bacterium that make you sick. It also has anticatarrhal and antispasmodic properties that help to treat all type of respiratory problems such as the flu, colds, allergies, sore throat and stuffy nose.
The anticatarrhal effects improve the body’s natural ability to prevent inflammation and mucus from building and the antispasmodic effects help to clear up congestion. Some people even use it to help ease asthma and bronchitis symptoms.
9. Rosemary Oil As An Insect Repellent
Did you know that you could use some essential oils, including rosemary to repel insects? Mosquitoes and other insects can ruin your outdoor plans if you don’t use some type of repellent to keep them away. However, commercial bug repellents are filled with chemicals that are bad for you and the environment.
A safer, more eco-friendly option would be to make your own bug repellent using essential oils. Home Guides has a good recipe for making your own mosquito repellent along with some other useful information.
You can also use rosemary oil to make your own insecticide to get rid of those nasty pests that like to invade your garden every year. Homemade insect repellents and insecticides made with all natural ingredients such as essential oils are also better for you and the environment than most commercial brand products.
10. Rosemary Oil As a Multi-Purpose Cleaner
Finding a good multi-purpose cleaner that is tough enough to clean and deodorize without filling your home with harsh chemicals can be difficult. Fortunately, you do have the option of making your own cleaners using essential oils. Due to its antiseptic, antibacterial and antiviral properties, rosemary oil mixed with vinegar and water makes a great all purpose spray for your kitchen, bathroom and all through your home.
You can also make an air freshener using rosemary oil that won’t aggravate your condition if you suffer from asthma or allergies. Rosemary’s woodsy and invigorating scent will help eliminate odors and leave your home smelling clean and fresh.
11. Rosemary Oil For Rest and Relaxation
For those times when you just want to sit back, relax and enjoy your day, try diffusing rosemary essential oil to create a relaxing environment. With all the health benefits associated with this oil, it’s easy to forget that it has a very relaxing scent that you can enjoy anytime.
Massaging the oil on your temple is an easy and fast way to use this oil to help you relax. However, you can also diffuse it, add it to your bathwater or place a couple of drops on your pillow before laying down.
Complementary Essential Oils and Carrier Oils
Blending oils together allows you to create recipes that focus on different needs. The following oils blend well with rosemary:
- Frankincense
- Eucalyptus
- Basil
- Peppermint
- Chamomile
- Oregano
- Lemon
- Lavender
- Clary Sage
- Tea Tree
- Bergamot
- Thyme
Rosemary also works well with several different carrier oils, which makes it easy to find one that you like using. Some of the most popular options include:
- Grapeseed
- Jojoba
- Coconut
- Olive
- Sweet Almond
When you begin mixing your own recipes, don’t hesitate to try different oils to see which ones work the best for you. You may also want to use different methods to see which way provides you with the best results. For example, you may prefer using rosemary in a warm bath to diffusing the oil when you’re trying to relax. You have several options to choose from and that’s one reason why aromatherapy is so popular.
Rosemary Oil Safety
Essential oils do have many healing properties that can improve your overall health but you should never replace your prescription medicines with them without discussing it with your doctor first. In some cases, they may be all you need but for serious conditions like Alzheimer’s and chronic depression, coming off your prescribed medicines without the supervision of a doctor could cause serious repercussions.
Rosemary oil is safe to use for most people but as with any essential oil, sensitivity can occur. Always dilute the oil with carrier oil before using and if you have very sensitive skin, do a patch test before using rosemary on a large area. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, don’t use rosemary oil because the effects on the unborn child is unknown. Most professional herbalists also recommend that you don’t use it on young children.
Do not ingest rosemary oil because it can cause spasms and severe vomiting. Ingesting large quantities of the oil may cause kidney damage and seizures. Avoid getting it in the eyes, ears and nose and do not use rosemary oil if you have epilepsy. As with all essential oils, store in a safe place out of the reach of children. You should also avoid overusing the oil or it could lead to sensitization of the skin.
Choose Quality Therapeutic Grade Oils
Always look for quality therapeutic grade oils. It’s the only way to know for sure that you are truly getting the most for your money. Therapeutic grade oil comes from naturally grown plants. In other words, no chemicals of any kind are used to grow the plants.
Proper procedures must be followed during harvesting for an oil to be considered therapeutic grade because it’s the only way for it to retain its full strength. Another very important distinction is that these oils do not contain any synthetic chemicals that could actually cause health problems. Once you use therapeutic grade essential oils, you’ll notice the difference in the aroma and the benefits it provides.
Rosemary essential oil has many uses and benefits that make it stand out from many of the other oils. Its woodsy, invigorating scent can enhance your mood and increase focus. Massaging it into your scalp can help make thin hair thicker and even stimulate hair growth. It’s used in homemade skin care products and can even make your oral hygiene routine more effective. If you’re searching for a good versatile oil to add to your collection, rosemary is an excellent choice. It’s a great oil to have on hand at all times.
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